Fraudster forced to give up Yoda statue in plea deal

A Star Wars fan has been forced to give up his $10,000 (£6,620) memorabilia collection after pleading guilty to fraud charges.

Among the items forfeited is a three-foot rubber Yoda statue, featuring his Jedi robe and fine white hair.

Yoda

Eric Hodgson was charged with 22 counts of grand theft after defrauding the state of California out of $1,900,000 (£1,250,000).

The California Department of Transportation commissioned the 43-year-old to place advertisements for construction contracts in local newspapers but he spent the money on luxuries such as holidays and expensive memorabilia, reports KTXL FOX40.

A statement from State Attorney General Kamala Harris's office reads: "He instead used the money to pay off a mortgage, make purchases of toys and comics, and pay for exotic trips for him and his company staff."

Hodgson - who faces a nine-year prison sentence for his crimes - has now agreed to give up his Star Wars collection as part of a plea deal.